PLANT MEDICINE

Ayahuasca, Nixi Pae, Uni

The Nixi Pae or Huni Pae ritual, as the Huni Kuin call it, is the ceremony in which ayahuasca is consecrated. Nixi is the vine, Pae is the force, and the ritual is one of the basic elements of the ancestral culture of these forest people.

Ayahuasca has been around for millenia, and pajés have been experimenting and relating to this medicine, bringing to their communities an experience of awakening of consciousness and deep connection with the forces of nature.

In the forest, the ceremonies are held to bring healing to the families, to bring understanding and harmonize situations, to understand the past, to foresee the future and to awaken to the present.

As the shamans (“pajés”) say: The true “pajé” is the medicine itself, the “nixi pae” and it’s spirit. The mysteries of ayahuasca were revealed by the boa constrictor, the transcendental serpent.

Through the “huni meka”, sacred chants transmitted for millennia from father to son, grandparents to grandchildren, the “nixi pae” spirit is summoned forth and guided, invoking the enchanted spirits of the forest. These spirits include: plants, animals (the boa constrictor, harpy eagle, jaguar, birds, butterflies, beetles, crickets, frogs, deer, etc) and sacred patterns “kene” (water, sun, moon, stars, bush, the wind, the day, the night, the masculine, the feminine, thought and consciousness) Each spirit is “yuxibu”, a divine manifestation of the great spirit, or God.

The ancient medicine of “rapé”, is also used. Applied by the shamans, this blend of tobacco and ashes from the bark of specific trees works synergistically with the nixi pae.

Opening each person’s connection with their own essence and thus with the divine, the ritual of the nixi pae gives to each person whatever needs to be lived, felt, understood, to be as close as possible to yuxibu, to be the purest manifestation of yuxibu. Healing, learning and evolution that comes with the awakening of the essence, the true inner nature, through contact with the pure vibration of the Forest.

The ritual carried out by the Guardians follows, as traditionally as possible, the way in which the indigenous people practice this ancient ceremony; and the experience gained by the group since 2005 contribues to support the experience of the urban participants.
The ritual unfolds in a completely organic way, there is no predefined order for the chants. What is known is that there is a beginning, a middle and an end.

To begin with, the traditional chants call for strength. Then the force expands for the visions and the teachings to come. Then comes the healing, and gradually we are called back to the body, emanating lightness and joy.

The pajés, with the assistance of the guardians, are like channels for yuxibu and the beings of the forest to manifest, through their chants, which are sung according to the moment and considering how the energy is flowing for each person and for the current as a whole, in a completely intuitive way.

Guardians are dedicated to serving and watching over the current, acting as facilitators of the experience and being available for any kind of assistance that might be necessary, working on the physical plane as well as the energetic and spiritual planes.

The ritual begins at night and goes on until the early hours of the morning, and includes the musical participation of the guardians and guests of other ayahuasca houses throughout the last hours of the ceremony.

You never know exactly what will happen during the ritual. Each one is unique, just like each pajé, each person present and their journeys, each medicine and each moment within this universe.

The only thing you know is that in the end, everyone is feeling well, with renewed energy and a new level of awareness. An ancient science, deep and secure, with protection and through the forces of nature.

The Indigenous leaders and the guardians work for the welcoming of and the alliance with all ayahuasca cultures and manifestations that carry this science of the forest with care; as well as with the diversity of shamanic traditions and spiritual lines of the planet, who share this same purpose of unconditional healing and love, and reconnection with nature and the divine.

PRACTICAL GUIDE

Program of the ritual:

1.18:00 – Arrive early to the ceremonial space to begin acclimatizing. If you like, you are welcome to enjoy a herbal sauna to relax before the ceremony. 2.20:00 – Soup 3.21:00 – Preliminary talk. 4.22:00 – Ritual begins and goes until dawn. 5. 08:00/09:00 – Breakfast is served. 6. 12:00 – Conclusion.

A typical ritual:

  • Rituals are conducted in an airy kupixáwa (traditional indigenous shelter), with capacity for 110 people. Participants sit around a central fire, on mats and meditation chairs /li>
  • Guardians will be present to assist and support the participants.
  • The ritual is conducted essentially by traditional indigenous songs.

Tips for the experience:

  • Maintain silence.
  • Seek to enter into a meditative state.
  • Focus on your breath and the songs.
  • Trust the medicine.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

PREPARATION
  • All first timers (with Ayahuasca or our group), must have an interview with one our psychologists.
  • We suggest a diet of at least three days before the ritual: avoid sugar, salt, fat, alcohol, and sexual intercourse.
  • Be sure to let us know when registering if you use any type of medication.
  • We recommend that everyone participate in the ridesharing list (requesting or offering rides). If you do get a ride, remember to contribute with the costs of fuel.
NOTICES
  • It is ill advised to wander away from the ritual venue (kupixawa) during the ceremony. It is important to maintain the energetic current with your presence and commit to closing the ceremony, together.

  • The Akasha Village is situated in a mountainous area, some 15km (20 minutes) northeast of the center of Itaipava and the last 800m is a dirt road. It’s important to remember that as soon as you leave the urban area, there will be no mobile phone coverage.
WHAT TO BRING
  • Light and comfortable clothes for the ritual.
  • Bottle of water for your own use.
  • Warm clothing, blanket or sleeping bag (it’s usually cold in the mountains).
  • Flashlight
  • Insect repellent (sometimes there are mosquitoes in the morning)
  • Plastic bags to collect your own trash
  • Swimwear, towel, flip flops and an exchange of clothes (we have a sauna, natural swimming pools and waterfall)

In the mountains of Itaipava, the Akasha Village, even before it had this name, already served as a sacred space for shamanic rituals. With its rivers and waterfall, it was for years a campground for ceremonies and living experiences. In 2015, the partnership with TXAI/Huni Kuin Guardians RJ, led to the organic expansion of Akasha’s structures, in order to meet the new needs.

Each of the spaces created follows the principles of bioconstruction and sacred geometry, seeking energetic enhancement and sustainable integration with nature. Areas include:

  • Kupixawá (Ceremonial Center)
  • Open air sacred grounds for ceremonies
  • Camping area
  • Geodesic dome
  • Hammock area
  • Flushing toilets and dry toilets
  • Changing room
  • Waterfall
  • Natural swimming pools
  • Herbal sauna

COMING SOON

  • Restaurant
  • Bungalows

As Carl Jung, one of the greatest researchers of the human mind, has said:  “Every pathology of modern man stems from his estrangement from nature”..  

HOW TO GET THERE